ONE week in! :p

I REALLY CAN'T believe my first week is OVER!!! I have learned SO much from just this first week.
1. You can't always go by your lesson plan
2. You need to be creative and learn to deal with ALL sorts of children
3. Spanish class from High School (and 2 semester of college) really DOES pay off! Hahahaha...
4.  You need God to be present with you in everything you do! (Probably the MOST important one!)

So in the midst of my first week I think I already have begun this everyday motion. I gather my kids, start journaling, writing, snack, math etc... but then I forget to pray with my kids or go over the weekly verse. This first week was a real reminder from God to me that I must not get lost into the motion of life, even when the very reason of being here is because of the Lord. Life can sure get you caught up, but we must not forget the Lord.
I think this weekend will be a weekend of finding rest with the Lord. I don't wanna go back to home with this wonderful experience and get caught up with motions of life. I need to remember the Lord and make sure that I am continually in sync with Him. Please continue to pray for me, my co-workers, and BCM/East Palo Alto.    

My Class Ocean. My kids are so cute! <3

San Francisco Bay! Took the kids on a trip for the 1st week! :)

At the Aquarium! A few Co-Workers a myself stuck a bubble in a fish tank. :p

1st Day!

1st day is OVER!!! and im Soooo tired. I don't know how real teachers do it. Truly teaching education is a life commitment. It takes SO much time to put together lesson plans and help assist in after school programs. I can tell you that God really tested my patience today. I can't lie. I have been blessed with a great set of home room kids. They are like my little angels, but my math kids..another story. I know God has a reason for me to work with them so I trust that He will continue to provide me the patience and strength to continue on for the rest of the summer. I have learned so much today and I know there is still so much more to learn. I thank God that I have had opportunities to serve the Lord through education in Rockford. All those times I had to teach Sunday school and VBS has prepared me up for this one event. Praise the Lord for His mercy, grace, and most importantly, His love! <3

Blessings....

Can you believe that I have been in EPA for TWO weeks? Time just flies by and tomorrow I start TEACHING!!!Eeek! I'm SO nervous, excited, and hopeful. I know that I need to just be a godly teacher and let God take control. Alright moving on....

Today has been a HUGE blessing to say the least. Great preaching, I got to play TENNIS, and a free dinner from my boss :) But the biggest blessing today was going to "Mi Pueblo" our local grocery store in EPA and bumping into a homeless man. You can probably remember the last time I dealt with a homeless in EPA...and that wasn't the greatest but God definitely opened my eyes. If you need a reminder just read this blog http://marcovang.blogspot.com/2012/06/open-eyes.html. 
Anyways I introduced myself and got to get to know him. I bought him a sandwich and for the first time I felt comfortable to speak to a stranger and show Gods love. What a blessing this was and a huge step up in faith. I don't normally speak to homeless and there are so many in Chicago that usually just want money, but I saw the sincerity of this man who was desperately seeking a meal for tonight. 
I am so thankful for the people and things God has blessed me with. It's a blessing to see others work so comfortably with homeless and it makes me want to share Gods love just as comfortably with strangers I may bestow. Praise God for His love and mercy. He is SO good to me! :)

Single hood

So a few days ago my guy co-worker and I had a conversation over my single hood

Co-worker: So Marco, have you ever had a girlfriend?
Me: Umm...No. I have never had a girl friend
Co-worker: WHAT??? wow...I thought you would of had at least one girlfriend
Me: Nope...never ever had a girl friend. I'm too poor. I can't afford one. Until I get a job, thats when I know I'll get one. :p
Yes i'm single and i'm very happy where I am at! 
Today I stopped and took a look around me and I just love where God has me...honestly! I don't regret not having a girl friend ... yet (well at least lets hope not :p). I know that God has someone special for me and He is preparing me for her, but in the mean time I love being single and young.
This is probably one of the most important stages in life. I often think that being single is over looked at my age (20/21). I don't think it's bad to be open to a relationship but the most important relationship you should be focusing on (And that's if you're single or not) is your relationship with Jesus Christ!

WOW! I love that right now the only responsibility I need to focus on is Jesus Christ and I. So much to learn at this age and SO much growing up to do before you can really commit yourself into someone else's life. Seriously... being single has allowed God to really reach out to me and provide many opportunities to serve Him and love others. I love being here in Cali and I love embracing my singleness in Christ! :)

My promise ring to God <3

It's FRIDAY!!!

FINALLY it's Friday!!! This means that the kids are just around the corner. Yup this is my LAST weekend before the program starts! I can't believe I have survived all this training. Time for the REAL test now!
Anyways today work took us out to a private school in the Ravens Wood area (essentially part of EPA). It was so encouraging and really fun. I learned so much in just that hour, and i'm glad BCM took us there right before we finished our room decorating and class rules. There were a few things that I realized when I was watching these 2nd graders...

1. I have forgotten how much 2nd graders know! I think after 2 1/2 years of teaching preschool/kindergarten Sunday school iv'e become accustomed to that age level thought process.

2. You really don't need a whole lot of rules for 2nd graders. They are smart enough to know what is appropriate and inappropriate (Well, at least the kids at this school).

3. 2nd graders are just adorable! They are so full of energy to learn and play. <3

4. I REALLY will need to rely on Christ to strengthen me for being a teacher this summer!

There is SO much more to teaching. You are more than just a person who stands up in the room and gives a lecture but more of a role model, a friend, and  possibly the only person who may be showing love to these kids, yet alone Christ love.

Ok so here are some pics of my class room. It's slowly but surely coming together! ;)

My class room. It's shared so its very small

Senior but many more years before I graduate :p

More pics for you!

I can't help myself but to post MORE pics for you! So enjoy! Santa Cruz with my co-workers/new friends was TRULY a blessing! Enjoy the photos!

Interns 2012!

Off into the water! It was SO cold!

My beautiful lodge!

A Noah's Ark recreation! It was ONLY 1/4 of the real one! I can't imagine the real thing

Beautiful Trees in the Santa Cruz Mountains!

The wonderful hot sand!

At the beach for the FIRST time! YAY!!!

Finally...

Well I have FINALLY been able to figure out how to post pics on this blog site. I'm still trying to get used to this so bear with me :p BTW It would be nice to see who is actually reading my blog. So if you don't mind leave me an encouraging message if you stop by to read! :)

We have a beautiful garden on the side of the house! This is just one of the many beautiful roses

My New Home

My room mate and I

My lovely bed room

More pics to come! Enjoy for now!

Just a reminder...

Whew! Monday is over and I can finally be home to blog, relax, and oh wait I can't relax. This is the time i'm suppose to use to work on my lesson plans! Oh well :p Anyways today I was reminded of probably the most important thing any teacher who loves Christ would want to be reminded of. It is certain that everything I do, I should be doing it to bring honor and glory to Christ, but the honest truth is that we get distracted sometimes and carry on with what the world tells us to worry about, and that can be trying to be the best at something. BUT today I was reminded by Ms. Jazzmin (one of our guest teachers to train us) about NOT being a good, great, or amazing teacher but rather a Godly teacher. WOW!... I mean how easy is it to get distracted and aim for a goal to be an amazing teacher and totally throw God in the back? Being a teacher, you may feel obligated to want to take over your class room but honestly we are nothing without the Lord. So...the honest truth is that we cannot do things on our own, so why not let Christ take over your class room?
I came here this summer as an intern with the intent to show Christs love, but as I have been preparing my lesson plans and decorating my room, I think I have forgotten to invite Christ to be present in my class room and with my kids. It is a blessing to be reminded that I need to pray for Christ to be present in my classroom and with my kids. Please continue to pray for me, my fellow interns, and the BCM staff. Pray that we don't forget that God is the very reason why we are here, and that God is needed to be present in our class rooms and with our kids throughout the day. :)

Open Eyes...

Last night all of us interns decided to go out to downtown Palo Alto. (Not EastPA, just PA...A whole other city. You would have to see it to believe it! Literally from ghetto to million dollar homes!) After parking, walking, dancing (Not me of course. And it was in the plaza where some street band was performing for free :p), and getting some delicious frozen yogurt from "Yogurt Land" [Which btw is the BEST frozen yogurt I have had. I am SO in love with the Taro Frozen Yogurt! Ugh, SOOO Freakin good! I love Red Mango but I think Yogurt Land out beats Red Mango and its ONLY in Cali as far as I know :*( ] Anyway after getting some Yogurt Land frozen yogurt, my group was approached by a homeless man. Of course he approaches me first, and as a Chicagoan I kind of ignore him. I know that was mean of me, and I have nothing to justify my action but in Chicago most homeless just want money and usually they don't use the money for food. There fore I was taught to kind of ignore them.  As I ignored him, my friend approached him and asked for his name. Then another intern asked him if he would like a sandwich. He was delighted to have her buy a sandwich for him (And I was surprised).
I saw how natural it was for her to ask him what his name was and if he wanted a sandwich. Perhaps I am just not that comfortable around homeless people, but my friend reminded me that they are humans to (Not that I think of them like animals, but I think its hard to have sympathy when in the past you give them money and they use it to buy alcohol etc.). I felt really guilty for my action of ignoring him. I also realized that I really don't know what it means to love like Christ. I guess that is why I am here. Last night was just a small reminder of how much God loves everyone, and how selfish I can be. This summer I really wanna have genuine love for others. Yes, I still believe you can't just give money to the homeless, but it doesn't hurt to ask them for their name and ask if they are hungry. I thank God for reminding me of the things I need to work on in my life. Lets hope I learn to be more comfortable around those in need of Gods love. We all have different backgrounds, but in the end we are all in need of the Fathers love.

Why California?

Before I left, many (or maybe just my mom and dad) wondered why I chose to go to California? I mean the real question is WHY NOT go to California? It's so warm and beautiful (plus Palm Trees and roses literally everywhere!) and you get to experience a REAL beach! (I'm just used to going to the lake beach and not the ocean beach :p... Ocean beach is SO much better btw) Ok...SO yes Cali has all these things, but in reality I took on this internship after spending a semester in Chicago and realizing just how much I needed to learn to share Christs love to an urban environment. Yes I know..I live in Chicago...I mean I couldn't get any more urban than that. So why California?....

First of all I really did look into internships in Chicago but all I could find were one week summer camps. And this, I did not want to do. I needed something that would keep me busy for the WHOLE summer.
Second, I needed a summer internship that was going to pay. And by Gods grace, I got a paid position from BCM! :)
Third, I have NEVER traveled on my own. I have never gone somewhere where I didn't know at least ONE person and had to completely trust on God alone that He would provide for me in every way that is needed when you go to a new place. AND I can tell you that when God has called you somewhere, HE WILL provide! (In EVERY way imaginable!) God is good, great, Amazing...and the list could go on...

BCM is located in East Palo Alto. I don't think I could of asked for any more of an urban environment similar to Chicago. This ministry has been around for 30 years and every staff member knows how to reach out because they actually live in EPA! This ministry focuses on children, and I feel that God has called me to work with children. So why not choose a ministry who knows best? ;)  My hope and goal is to be equipped with ideas to reach out back at home to Chicago & Rockford. (Both very urban cities) I trust in God that the new things I learn here, I can apply them back home. I know He will provide opportunities. I just need to trust in Him. :) So continue to keep me in your prayers. So much for this summer. So many new things to learn about sharing Christs love. <3

2 Days in...

So it's been about 2 days into training and I am SO exhausted! SO much to take in and prepare for in just a week. Lesson Planning, Decorating Room, Paper work, and the list goes on! This summer is going to be amazing, crazy, and fun BUT for sure I NEED/HAVE to rely on God for a source of strength.
Well, I will be teaching second grade Math and Second grade Language Arts! I feel really blessed with my kids. I know there are going to be a lot of challenges for the both of us, but God is good and I know He is present and will be working everything out for His good and beautiful purpose! I ask that you continue to pray for me, my fellow interns, and BCM staff members. I know God has a lot of great and mighty things planned for this summer!

Three Amazing Days...

God is SO amazing! Words cannot describe the beauty that He has painted in the Santa Cruz Mountains and the beach! For the first time I walked on a real beach and immersed myself into the cold, icy, and salty ocean water! Well these past three days I have spent time focusing on denying myself and taking up the cross of Christ, learning about the East Palo Alto History, and planning for SAIL (our summer enrichment program for East Palo Alto grade school students)/RYAA (A one week summer camp for the kids). SO many things to keep me busy this summer! Whew!
Ok, so for those of you who do not know of East Palo Alto let me begin that it is NOT Palo Alto, California! East Palo Alto is completely different in people and culture. It is truly a blessing to be here but like any other inner-city City, there is much to be done. East Palo Alto was ONCE recognized as the murder capitol of America (It is no longer as bad but has typical inner-city crime). It has changed over time from predominantly Caucasian, then to African Americans, and then to Latinos. There is a small amount of Asians beginning to come in but none the less this city is predominantly Latinos and African Americans. The education system in East Palo Alto is not the greatest and often many parents prefer to send their children outside of the EPA school district. EPA does not have a high school so the students who do go onto high school typically makes a 30-40 minute commute!
Alright now about BCM (Bay shore Christian Ministries) BCM has been around for 30 years, which btw is the same amount of time since EPA has "officially" been a city. BCM  exist "To equip our youth to grow spiritually, gain life skills, and develop as leaders so that they have a hope and future" BCM also partners up with various ministries like RYAA. This summer I will be working as a intern in the SAIL program. At this point I do not know which specific age group I will be teaching but I can expect from 1st to 5th grade. I will also be a camp director for the Tennis section for 1 week! I'm SO excited! So many things to plan for and I'm not sure how often I will be updating my blog but i'll try my best to update everyday. Continue to keep me, my intern friends, and BCM staff in your prayers! We need A LOT of prayer and encouragement! I know this summer is already starting off well and Gods presence is definitely here!

To the mountains we go!

Today we are leaving to the mountains for a lovely camping trip. This will be my first time getting to camp in the mountains of California and play at the beach and touch the ocean water. I'm so excited! These next three days I will not be updating my blog since while be soaking up the sun! :)

The beginning...

I cannot believe that I am already here is California working for Bay Shore Christian Ministries! The program has not begun yet. I think back that if it was not for my brother and sister in law giving me Francis Chan's book "Crazy Love" as a Christmas gift I don't know if I would be here. The book had challenged me to step up in my faith. So...here I am. Totally trusting in God that He will use me this summer to reach out to inner city kids through education in East Palo Alto. So far the beginning of this adventure has been a huge blessing. My list includes just barely catching my flight change from Milwaukee to Colorado and then to California, meeting my awesome boss, and meeting so many inspirational college students just like myself who have a passion and a desire to serve God. God is AMAZING all the time!